MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Van Ginkel took two steps forward to fake a rushing pass, then backpedaled left to where he knew Aaron Rodgers would look to throw a quick slant with an unblocked back blitzer coming in hot.
The disguise that defensive coordinator Brian Flores taught Minnesota Vikings so much so that he even fooled Rodgers, the four-time MVP who has long been one of the savviest quarterbacks in the league.
Rodgers threw the ball into Van Ginkel’s zone, and the sixth-year outside linebacker timed his jump perfectly to grab it and run 63 yards the other way for a touchdown that fueled an eventual 23-17 victory over the New York Jets last week in London.
Later in the game, between plays, Rodgers told Van Ginkel, “Christmas came early. »
Yes, this 2024 crop of free agents for Minnesota has been the gift that keeps on giving.
Van Ginkel is one of several successful newcomers who have been carefully identified by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, coach Kevin O’Connell and their teams, particularly Flores, as ideal candidates. They played a major role in the Vikings winning their first five games enter their week off as one of only two undefeated teams in the league and by far the biggest surprise success.
“I thought the dialogue between the coaching staff, Kwesi and his team about wanting to get these players here was really, really good. It’s a testament to what we’ve built in this building that we can have this kind of dialogue, and it also goes back to smart, tough guys who love football and want to be good teammates. Those guys, O’Connell said, tend to do well here.
The Vikings have never played a single game in February, with their four Super Bowl appearances occurring well before the NFL expanded the playoffs into its current month-long format and instituted a 17-game schedule . If they can hold out this long this season, they will be able to look back fondly on the work they accomplished last March. when the free agent market opened.
Instead of re-signing quarterback Kirk Cousins and/or outside linebacker Danielle Hunter at higher prices, the Vikings found a whole bunch of bargains.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was the most expensive with an average annual contract value of $19 million, but that’s still $5.5 million less than what Hunter cost Greenard’s former team, the Houston Texans. This allowed the Vikings to allocate some of those savings to Van Ginkel, who left Miami. Another former Texans linebacker, Blake Cashman, also participated in the first wave.
Quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Aaron Jones were picked up for a fraction of the price Cousins cost the Atlanta Falcons. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, backup outside linebacker Jihad Ward, backup linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and backup receiver Trent Sherfield joined in the following days.
Then came training camp, when cornerback Stephon Gilmore got the price ($7 million) he wanted for a reunion with Flores, giving the Vikings closure on the outside coverage that missing for years.
“I think all those guys are really good football players that we recruited and how they fit in with the guys that were already there. It’s a credit to the locker room, more than just the project and what we’re asking them to do,” O’Connell said. “It’s what it’s like every day for these players to try to be the best version of themselves.”
The free agent overhaul, along with the drafting of outside linebacker Dallas Turner in the first round, has given the Vikings a defensive lineup with five new starters and four new backups who are a regular part of the rotation. The Vikings have allowed the fourth fewest points per game (15.2) in the league and are fifth in yards allowed per play (4.8). They are second in the NFL with 13 takeaways, which is attributable to Flores and his unpredictable plan.
“He keeps us at a high level, and he puts us in a position to play and allows us to play fast, physical and at a high level,” Van Ginkel said, adding: “He keeps talking about this thing called joy. and I love playing it. Ultimately, we’re playing a child’s game, and if you don’t like it, you’re in the wrong sport or job.
There’s also a player-friendly culture behind the talent and projects at work, which Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have tried to shape since being hired in 2022. Jones noticed it immediately, even after leaving a well-run team in the Green Bay Packers who had great success during his stay.
“It’s different than anything I’ve ever been a part of, and I can’t put my finger on what’s different,” Jones said. “I’ve been on some good teams, but this is a special team.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
